Flood Damage Cleanup Company

Dangerous Flooding Reported in Louisiana

Flash flooding was reported in Louisiana early Wednesday as a result of the very heavy rainfall the state is receiving. Between six and fifteen inches of rain has been reported across the state, prompting flash flood warnings to be put into effect for portions of northwest Louisiana.

With several inches of rain already in some parts of the state and more torrential downpours in the forecast today, the flooding situation is sure to become much more serious and potentially very dangerous. The same powerful storm system which brought severe weather to the Plains earlier this week has moved into the Mississippi Valley. Very heavy rainfall has been soaking portions of Louisiana and Arkansas since late Tuesday night and will continue to do so today.

Polk, Louisiana has received 8.5 inches of rain as of Wednesday morning. The National Weather Service is warning that the heavy rains are threatening to overflow large creeks and small rivers in many parts of Louisiana which don’t ordinarily flood. In addition to the down pouring of rain, residents of Louisiana are being told that damaging winds could occur today as could an isolated tornado in this type of severe weather system which is sitting over their state.

The National Weather Service in New Orleans put out a severe thunderstorm warning for East Baton Rouge parish Wednesday morning. The storm could pack winds of over 60 miles per hour and could also cause flash flooding. The service also has a flash flood watch in effect for the Baton Rouge and surrounding area through Thursday morning.

State of emergencies were declared for four southern parishes Tuesday after heavy downpours of rain soaked the region causing flash floods. Those parishes are: Acadia, St. Landry, St. Martin and Lafayette. Dozens of residents had to be rescued from high flood water in Carencro, a town in Lafayette parish where numerous evacuations were also ordered. That area of the state got over fifteen inches of rain in just six hours starting Monday according to the National Weather Service. The water levels in the large bayous are rising there and are close to cresting which could spell disaster for hundreds and even thousands of home and business owners.

Louisiana governor Bobby Jindal declared a state of emergency Tuesday for some areas of his state after hundreds of families across the state have already been forced to leave their homes. This declaration will allow state agencies to respond to requests for help from local governments and also allows for federal agencies to be deployed to the state.